Group Life Insurance for Federal Employees

(1)

Group

Life Insurance for Federal Employees

by

WELTHA

VAN EENAM*

A N ACT of Congress signed by

President Eisenhower on

Au-

gust 7, 1954 (Public Law No,

598), authorized the Civil Service

Commission to make group life insurance available to civilian officers and employees of the Federal Government and to employees of the municipal government of the District of Colum- bia. The legislation places these employees in a position similar to that of employees of most large industrial firms; at the end of 1953, approximately 75,000 employers had provided group life insurance amounting to nearly $73 billion to more than 25 million employees.

It was originally estimated that the initial amount of life insurance under this Government life insurance program would total some $7-8 billion. The cost for the first full year of operation was expected to be about

$70 million, of which $47 million

would be paid by the employees and $23 million by the Government. The

most recent information indicates,

however, that initially a lower per-

centage of employees have ffled waivers of their right to insurance than was anticipated, with the result that the original estimates may have been on the low side.

Coverage

The act covers appointive and elec- tive ofacers and employees of the

legislative, judicial, and executive

branches of the United States Govern- ment, including corporations owned

or controlled by the Government. It

cosvers also the municipal employees of the District of Columbia (including teachers, policemen, and flremen). Three groups are specifically ex- cluded from coverage: (1) employees of those corporations under the super- vision of the Farm Credit Adminis-

tration, any member of which is

elected or appointed by private inter- ests; (2) nosncitizen employees whose

*Division of the Actuary, CMice of the Commissioner.

place of duty is outside the 48 States or the District of Columbia; and (3) commissioned officers and enlisted personnel on active duty in or with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who have indemnity coverage under the Servicemen’s Indemnity Act of 1951. The act permits other

exclusions under regulations pre-

scribed by the Civil Service Commis- sion. While these exclusions may apply to seasonal, part-time, or short- term employees, they need not be limited to these types; they may not, however, be based on the hazardous nature of employment.

Regulations issued by the Commis- sion on August 26, 1954, a.dded the

following exclusions to the three

stated in the law:

“4. Employees serving under ap- pointments limited to one year or less.

“5. Seasonal or emergency employees whose employment is of un- certain or purely temporary duration or who are employed for brief periods at intervals.

“6. Part-time, when-actually-em-

ployed, or intermittent employees

having no regular tour of duty. “7. Employees whose salary, pay or compensation on an annual basis is $12 a year or less.

“8. Member or patient employees in Government hospitals or homes.

“9. Employees paid on a, contract or fee basis.

“10. Employees paid on a piecework basis, except those whose work sched- ule provides for regular or full-time service.

“11. Employees serving in coopera- tion with non-Federal agencies who are paid in whole or in part from non-Federal funds.

“12. Employees whose duties in-

volve the security of the United

States and preclude their identifica- tion as employees of the Federal Gov- ernment.

“13. Retired employees reemployed

under conditions not terminating

their title to annuities.” (Such an

employee, of course, retains any insurance he may have had as a retired employee.)

Final determination of the appli-

cability of these regulations to specific employees is left with the Com- mission.

The effective date of the insurance, as determined by the Commission, was the first day of the first pay period beginning after August 28, 1954

(for most people August 29). Unless he filed a Waiver of Life Insurance Coverage (Standard Form 531, an

employee was automatically covered

if on August 29 he was on the payroll or in nonpay status that had not extended continuously for 12 months on the date preceding the effective date. Thus, an eligible person retir- ing at the end of August was insured. Those retired before the effective date of the insurance were not covered.

A new employee will be insured on the first day he is in pay status un-

less he files a waiver. An eligible

employee returning to pay status

after leave without pay for a con-

tinuous period of more than 12

months is automatically insured unless he flies a waiver before his re- turn. The insurance for an employee terminates at the end of 12 months of leave without pay, but there is a 31-day extension of the life insurance.

A participant may at any time cancel his insurance by filing a Waiver

of Life Insurance Coverage-the

same form that is used in an initial waiver. Insurance will cease at the end of the pay period in which the form is received in the employing office. Under Commission regulations, employees who initially waive coverage and those who elect to withdraw from coverage may later cancel the waiver provided (a) the employee is under age 50, (b) at least 1 year has elapsed since the effective date of the waiver, and (cl satisfactory evidence of insurability is furnished.

(2)

Amount and Type of Insurance

For Participants under age 65, the amount of life insurance is equal to the annual compensation, raised to the next higher $1,000, up to a maximum of $20,000. An employee earn- ing $4,200, for example, will be insured for $5.000. After attainment of age

65, the insurance will be for the

amount in force at age 65 reduced bY 2 percent for each elapsed month ~KJ a minimum prescribed by the commission ; this minimum may not be less, however, than 25 percent of the

amount in force at age 65.

Those who are Past age 65 when they become insured have the same amount of life insurance that would be in force had they been insured at age 65; that is, their insurance is reduced 2 percent for each elapsed

month since attainment of age 65.

The reduction for persons over age 65 on the effective date is applied to the amount of the annual compensation as of that date. For those who become insured after age 65 and who had been eligible at age 65, the basis is the lesser of the present compensation or the compensation at age 65.

Life insurance ceases 31 days after

the termination of employment ex-

cept for those entitled to (a) disability annuities or (b) immediate service annuities after 15 years of creditable civilian service. An “immediate annuity” is defined in the regulations as one that begins to accrue not later than 1 month following separation from service. A terminating employee

may elect within the ST-day period to convert a part or all of his life in-

surance to an individual policy at

attained age without a medical exam-

ination. The group life insurance is

term insurance only, and there is no cash surrender value available upon

termination or, for that matter, at

any time. The life insurance of a

retired employee eligible for continuation of insurance is not reduced until the end of the month following the month in which he reaches age 65.

Group accidental death and dis-

memberment insurance equal in

amount to the life insurance is provided, subject to the conditions and limitations of the policies purchased by the Commission. For accidental death before retirement, the amount Payable to the beneficiary is thus 12

twice the amount of life insurance in force. Payment equal to one-half the amount of the accidental death insurance is provided for the loss of one hand or one foot, or the loss of the sight of one eye, with no reduction in the amount of life insurance. For the loss of two or more such members, an amount equal to the full amount of life insurance in force is Payable. The aggregate amount payable for any one accident under the accidental death and dismemberment insurance may not exceed the total amount of life insurance in force. As noted above, life insurance continues in force for retired employees under certain conditions, but the accidental death and dismemberment insurance

will be canceled on retirement. The

latter form of insurance is continued

.for participating employees who re-

main in service after age 65, but it is reduced by the same percentage as is the life insurance.

and received in the employing OffiCe

(or, in the case of a retired employee, in the Civil Service Commission) before the death of the insured person. The designated beneficiary may be a person or persons or a firm, corpora- tion, or legal entity other than an agency of the Federal Government or the Government of the District of Columbia; the proceeds may thus be left to an incorporated endowment

fund. A change in beneficiary may

be made without the consent of the

beneficiary, but any change made

through a will (and not made as prescribed above) will not be effective. If there is no designated beneficiary, the order of payees is the same as in the Civil Service Retirement Act for

lump-sum death payments: (1)

widow or widower, (2) children, (3) parents, (4) estate, and (5) other next of kin.

Each participant will receive a cer- tificate setting forth the benefits and stating to whom they shall be payable and to whom claims shall be

submitted. It also contains a gen-

eral summary of the provisions. The Civil Service Commission will protect the rights of separated or retired employees now insured through an association of Federal employees, provided the association terminates all its life insurance agreements with the employees and turns over assets sufficient (if possible) to cover the

liabilities assumed by the Commis-

sion. These separated or retired persons will be allowed to continue their present insurance under the new pro’- gram at their present premium rates; this arrangement may not apply to persons who were first insured after 1953. For employees still in service, the association insurance will pre- sumably be replaced by the new group insurance, for the legally determined amount, unless the employee elects

not to participate. Associations may,

of course, continue under the present arrangements if they wish.

It should perhaps be Pointed out that an employee who has no rela- tives in the first three categories may

wish to designate a beneficiary (Or

beneficiaries) even though such beneficiary might be entitled to the Pro- ceeds through his entitlement to the residue of the estate. If payable to the estate, the amount would, in most States, be included in determining the amount subject to inheritance tax, but it would not be included if there is a named beneficiary.

Because the designation of bene-

ficiary is held by the employing

agency or, for retired employees, by the Civil Service Commission, it is automatically canceled on the da.Y the employee transfers to another agency or on the day he retires. A redesigna- tion of beneficiaries must be filed with the new agency or, in the case of a retired emploYee, with the Commis- sion.

Contributions

BeneJiciaries

Employees may designate a benc-

ficiary or beneficiaries to receive

Employee contribution rates are to be determined by the Commission but may not exceed 25 cents biweekly per

$1,000 of life insurance. The initial

rate has been placed at the maximum

provided by the act. Contributions are made through payroll deductions and cease upon retirement or attainment of age 65, whichever is earlier.

death benefits. Such designation The contributions withheld are based

must be in writing and must be signed, upan the last amount of insurance in

witnessed by a disinterested person, force during the pay period, and

(3)

withholdings are discontinued at the end of the pay period preceding the period in which the employee reaches age 65. No contributions are required from insured employees in nonpay status, but their insurance expires at the end of 12 months of continuous nonpay status.

“Free” life insurance is provided for employees retired for disability or those retired for other reasons under an immediate annuity after at least 15 years of credited civilian service and also for employees still in service after age 65.

The department or agency involved

makes its contribution from the ap-

propriations used for payment of

compensation: the amount is to be determined by the Civil Service Com- mission, but it may not exceed half the amount paid by the employees.

The initial employer rate has been

placed at the maximum. In effect,

although the Government may pay

one-third of the aggregate cost of

the program, it will bear little or none of the current cost for the young em-

ployees. Conversely, the Govern-

ment contribution will meet a large

part of the current cost for the older

participants. All contributions are

to be placed in a specific fund in the

United States Treasury. The insur-

ance premiums and the expenses of the Commission in administering the program will be paid from this fund.

The rates for the premiums to be paid to the life insurance companies will be determined by the Commis- sion on a basis consistent with the lowest rates charged large employers

for group life insurance. Provision

is made for adjustment in premium rates for subsequent years based on the experience under the policies, in line with group life insurance prac-

tices. The Commission will set a

maximum expense and risk allow- ance for the insurance companies. The excess of the premiums over these two items will be used to build up a contingency reserve. The Com- mission will determine the maximum reserves to be permitted and any further excess is to be deposited in the Treasury fund.

It may be noted that the maximum Government contribution is $3.25 an- nually per $1,000 of life insurance on those employees who are contributing.

This contribution, with the maximum

employee contribution of $6.50 per

$1,000 of insurance for those contributing, will probably meet the administrative costs of the Commission and cover the net cost of the life insurance, including the “free” insurance, and of the accidental death and dis-

memberment insurance-at least un-

til the time that the amount of “free” insurance is of considerable magni- tude. Since persons who retired before the effective date of the act are not covered, the relative amount of “free” insurance will be very small at first and increase over the years. This rise, coupled with the probable increase in the age distribution of the insurance in force on the combined active and retired lives, may result in

higher costs in the future. Since,

however, the Commission has set the initial contribution rates at the maximum, the fund during the early years will probably build up a considerable surplus, which will be available to

meet possible future deficits. The

insurance is on a group l-year term basis, with premiums to the insurance companies varying with the distribution of the insurance by attained ages

of the participants. In general, un-

der group life insurance plans jointly financed by employer and employee,

the employee contribution rate is a

definite amount (usually 60 cents a month) Per $1,000 of insurance, with

the employer contributing the bal-

ance. The balance is a flexible amount determined by the age dis-

tribution of the amounts in force,

by the experience of the group, and to some extent by the experience of all such groups insured by the carrier.

Individual

Illustration

The following example shows how the new group life insurance plan operates for the individual who works beyond age 65, illustrating what hap- pens at age 65 and thereafter with respect to the amount of life insurance and contributions.

Assume that Bill Jones, who will become age 54 on January 8.1955, has had 10 years of credited service. (He was born on January 8, 1901, and will become age 65 on January 8, 1966.1 His present salary is $3,920 and is increased by $125 on each May 1 of the years from 1955 through 1958. On

May 1, 1959, he is reclassiiled, and his salary is raised to $5,060. He receives three regular annual increases, and on May 1, 1963, he is reclassified with a salary of $5,500. Bill Jones remains in this classification until his retirement on December 31, 1969, shortly before he reaches age 69. During this period he receives regular increases of $125 on May 1 of each Year.

The amount of insurance is $4,000 up to the pay period that includes May 1, 1955, when it is increased to $5,000 in line with his salary of $4,045. This amount is stationary until his salary is raised to $5,060 upon his re- classification in 1959. The insurance at this point increases to $6,000. Since his salary at age 65 is $5,750, the insurance remains at $6,009 until the end of February 1966 (the month following the month during which he reaches age 65 1. The monthly reduction, effective as of the end of Febru- ary 1956, is $120. Further regular salary increases that result in a salary of $6,125 on May 1,1968, and of $6,250 on May 1, 1969, do not affect the

amount of insurance. His insurance

continues to be reduced by $120 each

month until, by March 1969, it

amounts to $1,560. At the end of that month the insurance is further reduced by $60 to the minimum of $1,500 (one-fourth of $6,000) and is stationary thereafter.

The accidental death and dismemberment insurance continues in force until retirement (in this case until

Table l.-Illustrative experience under Federal group life insurance for

hypothetical employee who works

beyond age 65 9/1/54-.-.. 5/l/55.-.. z 5/l/59... ;; 5/l/63...-.. l/1/66...-.. 2/l/66.-- E 3/l/66...-.. 5/l/68.-.. i: 3/l/69...-.. g 4/l/69...-. 5/l/69...-.- 68 wge 2 death.-- 69

: %z

4 5:0&l 4 5,500 0 5,756 1 5,750 2 5,750 4 6,125 2 6,125 3 6,125 4 6,250 0 (‘1 ’ $4,OiN $E 2E 6: 000 5,8RO yg (500 1, 500

1 Assumes that pay period preceding the one in which January 8, 1966, falls ended in December.

(4)

almost age 69)) but the amount de- creases with the decrease in life insurance. Unlike life insurance, however, it ceases at retirement.

Table 1 shows the amount of life insurance held by Bill Jones and his

weekly contributions on selected

dates.

Insurance

Carriers

The Commission is authorized to purchase from one or more companies, meeting specified requirements, a policy or policies to provide the pro-

posed insurance benefits. To be

eligible as a primary carrier, the company must (1) be licensed to write life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in each of the 48 States and the District of Colum- bia; and (2) have at least 1 percent of the total amount of employee group life insurance in the United States as of the most recent December 31 for

which information is available.

Eight companies now meet these

qualifications. At a meeting of rep-

resentatives of these companies and of the Commission, it was decided

that the administration would be

simplified if one company became the

insurer. The Metropolitan Life In-

surance Co. was chosen for the role. A portion of the insurance will be reinsured by other life insurance companies. Any company with group life insurance of any type in force in the United States at the end of 1953 may participate as a reinsuring company. About 260 life insurance companies

are initially eligible; in addition, the

seven companies that qualify as insurers but are not thus participating qualify as reinsuring companies.

The formula for allocating the insurance both to the insurers and the reinsurers favors the smaller companies. It will take into account the amount of each company’s group life insurance in force in the United States on December 31, 1953. In determining the proportions, 100 percent of the first $100 million of group life insurance in a company will be taken into account; 75 percent of the next $100 million; 50 percent of the third $100 million; 25 percent of the

fourth $100 million; and 5 percent

of any amount in excess of $400 million. The resulting amount for each company will then be related to the

total resulting amount for all com-

panies that elect to participate. Cer-

tain limitations are, however, speci-

fled:

(a) The amount to be allocated to any company is not to exceed 25 percent of the life insurance in force (all types) on United States lives carried by the company as of Decem- ber 31, 1953.

(b) If, at the end of 1 year following the date of enactment, any company that had previously issued policies to an association of Federal Gov- ernment employees has less allocated insurance (under the above formula) than the decrease in such company’s insurance under these policies (be-

cause of the changeover to the new

plan), the allocated amount shall be raised to the amount of decrease at

the first reallocation. A reallocation

is to be made at least every 3 years. If all the companies writing group life insurance (about 270) elect to participate, the eight companies that now qualify as insuring companies and that had an aggregate of more than 83 percent of the total group life

insurance in force in the United

States at the end of 1953 will carry less than 41 percent of the insurance

of the program. Approximately 235

companies (each with less than $100

million of group life insurance on

United States lives) with an aggregate amount equal to 3 percent of the total in force in the United States will be allocated about 20 percent of the

life insurance of this program. In

determining the allocation, less than 8 percent of the group life insurance in force in the eight companies would be taken into account, whereas 100 percent of that of the 235 companies would be used. The remain-

ing companies (approximately 25)

with about 14 percent of the group life insurance in force are eligible for

about 40, percent-on the assumption,

again, that all eligible life insurance companies participate.

Administration

The functions usually performed by the employer under group life insurance are being performed by the Civil Service Commission and by the em-

ploying agencies involved. In ac-

cordance with the act, the insuring company has set up a central admin-

istrative office known as the ‘*Of&e of Federal Employees Group Life Insur- ance.” An Advisory Council on Group

Insurance-consisting of the Secre-

tary of the Treasury as Chairman, the Secretary of Labor, and the Director of the Bureau of the Budget-is established by the act. The Council will review operations and advise the Commission on matters of policy. A committee of five insured employees to advise on matters of concern to employees will be appointed by the Chairman of the Civil Service Com- mission.

The Commission has general re- sponsibility for the program and will handle all arrangements with the insurance companies. It will issue regulations from time to time regarding matters left to its determination. The first regulations, issued on August 26, 1954, cover such points as eligibility, the effective date of the insurance, the current contribution rates of employees and their agencies, and rules regarding cessation and conversion of insurance, cancellation of waiver of coverage, and designation of beneficiary.

Some of the detailed work-such as

keeping record of the amounts of life insurance on individual lives, amounts to be withheld from salaries, the date

of cessation of withholding, and the

beneficiary designation-is being per-

formed by the various Government agencies.

Legislative History

President Eisenhower in a message to Congress on May 19, 1954, outlined “a plan of contributory group life in-

surance for Federal civilian em-

ployees.” Following this message a

bill was introduced in the Senate on May 24 as S. 3507, after which the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service held public hearings. A re- vised bill, S. 3681, was passed without amendments by the Senate on July 8 and by the House on August 3. It was signed by the President on August 17. 1954.

Under S. 3507 the employee contributions were to be payable until

retirement. The 15-year service

qualifying provision for continuation of insurance (without contributions) after retirement would apply to dis-

(Continued on page 22)

(5)

Table 4.-Status of the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund, by specified period, 1937-54 [In thousands]

I

Receipts I 1 Period Ngjgri Interest income and received 2

transfers 1 --

Cumulative, January 1937-July 1954 __.________ $30,766,680 $2,984,880 Fiscal year: 1952-53 ..______________ -- ________.___ ________ 4,096,602 1953-54 .___.___.._ _ .____ ._______ ____________ 4,589,923 $4 g; 1953 July _- ______ ______-_______-___-_---.--.----. August..---.---.---.-.---.---- September ____________________--.---.----.--- October.... ____________________________________ November.---.-.--- December ____________________----.---.---- 1954 January...---.-.--..---.--- February.-..-_..--.--- March--- ____________________________________ April-- __ ..____________________________________ May----_-.-_-_---_---.---. June.---.--- July- _ .__ _ ___ _ ____ __ _ _ ___ __ _ _____. ._ _ ____ ______ 213,774 _____________ 254,509 6,787 529,884 ____. ____._. 254,714 7,367 258,748 10,917 256,811 6,692 173,686 If 818 260,989 6,838 398,352 _____________ 263,853 7,462 152,597 190,960 m3,100 9,013 84,670 609,224 E2 ET?: 777: 733 508,524 218,264 268 6 11,595 10,946 14,818 ____-________ 196,182 J 9,551

I

- Expenditures Benefit payments $13,051,623 $729,518 $19,409,864 $403,246 $157,309 $19,970,418 2,627,492 89,429 1,544,542 286,878 261,885 18,366,356 3,275,457 88,638 1,522,2iO 373,547 329,277 20,042,688 gig 71: 594 39,341 26,000 186,609 295,022 119,519 308,292 310,652 329,341 224.172 328,778 106,069 325,687 210,197 335,889 79,830 269,613 g7 p; 293: 884 293,969 296,585 292,652 2% 7: 180 7,502 7,447 8,878 7,433 -146,000 38,800 164,918 245,941 229, ooil 515,967 70,000 33,750 331,744 460,845 212.080 449,226 329,277 157,309 18,515,727 18,854,571 19,168,775 g, g- :g 20’ 04; 688 19: 970: 418 Adminis- trative expenses 8 _- “v”tSto$&f emient securities acquired 4 Assets Cash with Credit of disbursing md account fficor at end at end of

of period period

1 For July 1940 to December 1950 equals taxes collected under the Federal In- adjusted for reimbursements to trust fund of small amounts for sales of supplies s~~rance Contributions Act. Beginning January 1951, amounts appropriated and services. Beginning Ootober 1953, includes amounts for expenses of Plans in accordance with sec. 201 (a) of the Social Security Act as amended in 1950; and preparations for construction authorized by P. L. 170, 83d Gong., 1st Sess. from May 1951, includes deposits by States under voluntary coverage agreements. 4 Includes accrued interest and repayments on account of accrued interest On For 1947-51 includes amounts appropriated to meet costs of benefits payable to bonds at time of purchase.

veterans’ survivors under the Social Security Act Amendments of 1946. J Represents interest, transferred from the railroad retirement account, for the Includes deduction to adjust for reimbursement to the general treasury of the fiscal year 1952-53 on $488 million and for the fiscal year 1953-54 on $424.5 million- estimated amount of taxes subject to refund on wages In excess of $3,600 paid to the estimated amount that would place the old-age and survivors insurance trust omployecs who worked for more than 1 employer during the calendar year-$33

million in December 1952 for 1951 taxes and $40.5 million in September 1953 for fund in the same position in which it would have been on June 30: 1952, if railroad employment had always been covered under old-age and sur~wors insurance, 1952 taxes-in accordance with sec. 1401 (d) of the Internal Revenue Code. less offsets, for 1953-54, made under subparagraph (c) of section 5 (K) (2) of the

1 Includes interest transferred from the railroad retirement account under the Railroad Retirement Bet, as amended in 1951. financial interchange provision of the Railroad Retirement Act, as amended in

1951. See footnote 5. Sourer: Daily Statement ojthc U. S. Treasury.

3 Represents net expenditures for administration. Beginning November 1951,

FEDERAL WORKERS INSURANCE

(Continued from page 14)

ability annuitants as well as to serv-

ice annuitants. Under the act as

passed, all employee contributions cease at age 65, even though employ-

ment continues. Life insurance is

continued on all disability annuitants, regardless of the number of years of service. The waiving of employee contributions for those remaining in service after age 65 may have been prompted by the administrative difll-

culties involved in handling the

monthly decrease in the amount of insurance after age 65 (especially since contributions are largely on a biweekly basis).

The original bill limited the reinsuring companies to those who were licensed to write group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in one or more States and to those who were carriers of life insurance for at least 25 employee

groups. Through the removal of

these restrictions in the final bill,

group life insurance covering out- standing loans was recognized in determination of eligibility, as well as in allocation of amounts. The number of qualified reinsuring companies was thus increased from about 85 to about 260 (excluding those eligible as insurers 1. A special provision in the law as enacted renders eligible as a reinsurer any fraternal beneflt association, licensed under the laws of a State or the District of Columbia and issuing insurance on the lives of Fed- eral employees only.